Back-to-school now means more than backpacks and notebooks. It also means phones, tablets, gaming systems, school devices and more time online.
Kids may understand technology quickly, but that does not mean they are prepared for everything they may see or experience.
Content that once came with clear adult ratings can now appear between funny videos, gaming clips and homework searches. Children may also encounter bullying, explicit content, threats, strangers and conversations involving depression or self-harm.
Parents can talk with their kids, set rules and explain online risks. Those conversations matter, but danger is not always easy for a child to recognize. A stranger may seem like a gaming friend or someone connected to a classmate. A serious message from a friend may also feel too overwhelming to share with an adult.
That is where Bark can help.
Bark monitors compatible apps, messages and accounts for possible concerns, including cyberbullying, predatory behavior, explicit content, threats and self-harm. Parents receive an alert when something may need their attention.
It is not designed to let parents read every message.
Think of Bark as a smoke detector for a child’s digital life. Most of the time, it stays quiet. When something concerning appears, it gives parents the chance to step in.
Bark works best alongside trust and honest conversations. The goal is not to catch kids doing something wrong. It is to make sure they do not have to handle difficult situations alone.
We cannot control everything children encounter online, but we can give them guidance, boundaries and someone in their corner.
Learn More
Bark is available through LigTel for $13 per month and is included with the Connected Home plan.
From August 1 through September 30, customers who add Bark or upgrade to Connected Home will be entered for a chance to win one of three $100 gift cards. Existing customers with Bark or Connected Home will be automatically entered.
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